Tampa Injury Lawyershttp://tampainjurylawyers.com
Fri, 15 May 2015 15:11:32 +0000en-UShourly1What are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents in the Tampa Area?http://tampainjurylawyers.com/leading-causes-of-car-accidents/
Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:26:17 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1105While there are a wide variety of factors that can play a role in an accident, there are a few leading causes of car accidents that are responsible for serious injuries time and time again.

Below we examine some facts and statistics about three of the leading causes of car accidents: distracted driving, drunk driving and speeding.

Distracted Driving

While most of us know that it can be dangerous to allow our attention to drift from the road, many drivers don’t realize just how dangerous distracted driving really is.

Drinking and Driving

Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in our area and throughout the country.

Drunk driving is responsible for about a third of all traffic-related fatalities according to the CDC. 10,228 individuals lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in 2010 alone. More than 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence that year. About 112 million drunk driving incidents occur every year in the United States.

Speeding

In all too many cases, drivers don’t realize the risks of driving at excessive speeds until it’s too late.

Call Us Now at 800-753-5203 to Put Our Experience Tampa Car Accident Attorneys to Work for You!

Don’t wait! If you’ve been seriously injured in a Tampa car accident, call our injury law team now at 1-800-753-5203. We can evaluate your case for free and may be able to seek compensation for your injuries.

]]>Concussion Prevention: New “Heads Up” Program Aims to Improve Head Injury Prevention and Treatmenthttp://tampainjurylawyers.com/heads-up-concussion-prevention/
Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:19:57 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1094According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three quarters of all cases of traumatic brain injury that are reported each year are concussions or similar mild brain injuries.

The agency hopes to improve the public’s ability to prevent, recognize and respond to these types of injuries with a pair of new “Heads Up” programs.

Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports is aimed at providing young athletes, coaches and parents with the information they need to reduce these types of injuries.

Heads Up to Clinicians is aimed at helping healthcare providers prevent, diagnose and treat concussions.

Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports

Although the CDC offers a variety of fact sheets, posters and quizzes aimed at concussion prevention in their Heads Up program for youth sports, the core of their message can be summed up in three points. If you suspect that a young athlete may have suffered a concussion:

Take the athlete out of the game

Don’t try to diagnose the injury on your own

Get the advice of a healthcare provider

The Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports offers resources for concussion prevention organized into three different sections for the three types of individuals who play the biggest roles in youth sport safety:

Coaches are encouraged to take an online quiz and training course for youth sports specifically design to improve concussion prevention. They are also provided with fact sheets and clipboard materials, as well as a poster.

Young athletes can take part in ensuring their own safety through a quiz, fact sheet and poster from the Heads Up program.

Parents are also provided with a quiz, fact sheet and magnet that reminds them of what they can do to improve concussion prevention.

Heads Up to Clinicians

The CDC also has a corresponding Heads Up program geared toward concussion prevention and treatment from a healthcare perspective. Heads Up to Clinicians consists of an online training course that focuses on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of concussions, as well as concussion prevention.

Do you have a child who has suffered a concussion or other injury due to someone else’s irresponsibility? Call the Tampa child injury lawyers of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-753-5203.

The child injury lawyers of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk have fought for the rights of injury victims since 1988. Call us today at 1-800-753-5203 to find out how our law team may be able to help your family.

]]>Avoid Causing a Motorcycle Accident in Tampa with These Safety Tipshttp://tampainjurylawyers.com/avoid-causing-a-motorcycle-accident-in-tampa/
Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:02:28 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1091According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 34,000 motorcyclists lost their lives in motorcycle accidents between 2001 and 2008, representing a 55 percent increase in the death rate for riders.

Tragedy could easily have been avoided in all too many Tampa motorcycle accidents if motorists had been behaving responsibly while they were on the road.

Below we take a look at some simple safety tips that riders and drivers alike can put into place to help improve road safety in Tampa and throughout Florida.

Be Visible: Avoid blind spots and use your headlights when riding in low light conditions. Consider wearing bright or reflective clothing while you ride.

Respect Other Drivers: Don’t weave in and out of traffic or ride on the shoulder. Avoid tailgating.

Safety Tips for Sharing the Road with Motorcyclists

All motorists have a responsibility to ensuring that our roads are safe for everyone by sharing the road appropriately.

Give Motorcyclists Space: Tailgating is always dangerous, but it’s particularly irresponsible when it comes to sharing the road with bikers.

Check Your Blind Spots: Be aware of your surroundings and what’s going on in your blind spots, especially before turning or changing lanes.

Use Your Turn Signals: Give cyclists plenty of time and space to react when you need to turn or change lanes.

Avoid Distracted Driving: Taking your attention away from the road can lead to tragedy in an instant. Be responsible when you’re on the road and avoid common distractions like mobile devices.

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in our area? Call our Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers today at 1-800-753-5203.

Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-753-5203 if you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in our area. We can evaluate your case for free and may be able to fight for your rights.

]]>Will the New Car Seat Law Help Reduce Child Injuries Caused by Car Accidents in Tampa?http://tampainjurylawyers.com/new-car-seat-law-to-reduce-child-injuries/
Fri, 24 Jan 2014 14:18:17 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1086There is a new recommendation from National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration concerning child car seats that safety experts hope will reduce child injuries throughout the country.

Let’s take a look at the car seat rules and how they may help reduce child injuries caused by car accidents here in Tampa.

What is the problem with current car seat regulations?

The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is designed to make car seats easier for parents to install with easy to use anchors that latch onto the seat. Most car seats in recent model vehicles are designed to work with the LATCH system.

The problem is that the weight of actual car seats can fluctuate considerably from one model to the next. While the NHTSA had recommended that parents take advantage of the LATCH system in the past, the weight of the car seats themselves was not taken into account by auto manufacturers in the development of the anchors used for car seats.

How are car seat regulations changing?

The new NHTSA recommendation for car seat safety takes these weight issues into consideration. Car seat manufacturers are now required to instruct parents not to use the LATCH system if the combined weight of the car seat and the child is over 65 pounds in vehicles made since 2001.

According to USA Today, many children will no longer be required to ride in car seats using these lower anchors starting in early 2014. Parents are instructed to weigh their child and their car seat separately to determine if the combined weight is more than 65 pounds. If so, the seat belt method should be used for securing the car seat rather than the LATCH system.

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our injury law team has fought for rights of Florida injury victims for over 25 years, including many cases involved serious injuries to children.

If your child has been injured, you may need a child injury lawyer who will fight for your rights. Call us today at 1-800-753-5203 to find out how we may be able to help.

]]>Common Claims Pursued by Dental Malpractice Lawyershttp://tampainjurylawyers.com/common-dental-malpractice-claims/
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:59:45 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1081When mistakes and mishaps are made while a patient is in the dental chair, a routine visit to the dentist can turn into every patient’s worse nightmare.

Dental malpractice lawyers help patients who have been seriously injured due to a dentist’s negligence fight for their rights. Seeking financial compensation for damages like additional dental expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering can help injury victims recover from their injuries.

Some of the most common types of personal injury claims that dental malpractice lawyers pursue include problems related to:

Defective bridges, crowns and veneers: Problems with restorative dentistry involving bridges, crowns and veneers can result in significant discomfort, expenses and other complications for some patients.

Damage to the jaw: Mistakes made during some dental procedures can result in severe damage to a patient’s jaw.

Nerve damage: A moment of negligence or inattention can result in a mistake during a dental procedure causing significant nerve damage.

Anesthesia errors: Mistakes made when using anesthesia on a patient can result in a variety of health complications.

Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose: Failing to properly diagnose oral disease such as cancer can result in serious health complications.

Extraction of healthy teeth: Misdiagnosis or clerical error can lead to healthy teeth being needlessly extracted in some cases of dental malpractice.

Unfortunately, dental malpractice can result in considerable discomfort and expenses for injured patients. In addition to additional dental work, victims often also have to deal with loss of income, medical expenses and other complications.

Have you been seriously injured due to medical or dental malpractice? Call our injury law team today!

An experienced Tampa medical malpractice lawyer may be able to fight for your rights if you’ve been hurt due to a healthcare provider’s carelessness. Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-753-5203 for a free initial consultation.

Because of the fact that cases involving medical malpractice injuries may be highly complex and exceedingly specific, our law firm commonly works with other law firms who have considerable experience in each particular case type. Thus, we may be referring these types of cases to a separate firm, with whom we typically associate and work with on a co-counsel basis.

]]>Understanding Scooter Accidents In Tampahttp://tampainjurylawyers.com/scooter-accidents/
Thu, 26 Dec 2013 20:27:54 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1075Riding a scooter can be a fun and efficient way to get around Sarasota. Unfortunately, something as simple as a moment of negligence or a roadway accident can lead to a scooter accident involving serious injury or property damages.

Common Types of Scooter Accidents

Other vehicles making left-hand turns: Scooter riders need to exercise extra caution when cars are making left-hand turns, as drivers often do not see bikes while making these turns until it is too late.

Lane splitting: Some scooter riders try to navigate traffic by driving between two lines of stopped cars, especially during traffic jams. Not only is this behavior illegal in many jurisdictions, it’s also dangerous and can lead to a serious accident.

Common Injuries Caused by Scooter Injuries

Broken bones: The force of impact to the body in a scooter accident can result in broken arms, limbs and other fractures, even when riding at slow speeds.

Back, neck and spinal injuries: From whiplash to paralysis, scooter accidents can lead to injuries to the back, neck and spine.

Traumatic brain injury: Even when a rider is wearing a helmet, blows to the head can result in concussions and other injuries that can cause severe trauma to the brain.

Deep cuts and scrapes: Riders can also suffer severe lacerations and road rash in scooter accidents.

Simple Tips for Avoiding Scooter Accidents

Thankfully, most scooter accidents can easily be prevented by riding carefully and following some common sense safety tips.

Be sure to wear a helmet that fits properly.

Wear bright or reflective clothing if you are riding at night or in low light conditions.

Signal properly whenever you are turning or changing lanes.

Exercise particular caution when you riding through intersections or parking lot entrances.

Allow for extra time if you need to ride during poor weather conditions.

Be aware of other vehicles. Do not assume that other drivers can see you.

Follow the speed limit, and do not ride faster than you are comfortable with.

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a motor vehicle accident, it may be time to speak with a car accident lawyer serving Sarasota about protecting your rights.

You may need an experienced car accident lawyer if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk now at 1-800-753-5203 for a free case evaluation today.

]]>Understanding Compensatory and Punitive Damages in Tampa Personal Injury Claimshttp://tampainjurylawyers.com/compensatory-vs-punitive-damages/
Fri, 13 Dec 2013 03:11:29 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1043If your loved one is hurt or killed through someone’s negligence, it’s normal and natural to be extremely angry. However, you should not allow that anger to cloud your judgment when it comes to protecting your rights.

Understanding what kinds of compensation may be available for a given injury is an important part of protecting your rights. Depending on the nature of an accident, an injury victim may be eligible for both compensatory and punitive damages.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are designed to reimburse the actual costs associated with an accident. Common expenses and other allowable damages include:

Burial costs or cremation

Hospital or other medical expenses

Lost wages

Mental anguish

Pain and suffering

Some compensatory damages are objective, such as medical expenses and the cost of a burial. Others, such as anguish or pain and suffering, are subjective. In a case where a loved one died as a result of the negligence, damages like mental anguish and pain and suffering might apply to both the deceased and remaining relatives.

Punitive Damages

These awards are designed to force responsible parties not to repeat the actions that caused an injury or death and to deter the general public from grossly irresponsible behavior. They are most often awarded in cases of wrongful death or serious injury.

The following are some reasons why punitive damages might be awarded:

A drug company’s medications might kill people even if they take them as directed.

Medical personnel might commit gross malpractice.

Companies might have industrial accidents or spills that result in deaths or lifelong injuries.

A drunk driver who has caused an accident resulting in injury or death.

Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk at 1-800-753-5203 to find out how we may be able to help.

If you or someone you know has been injured by someone else’s negligence, a Tampa personal injury attorney might be able to help. Despite how you’re feeling at such a stressful time, you’re not alone. Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk anytime for a free, initial consultation at 1-800-753-5203.

]]>Federal Agency Hopes to Improve Workplace Injury Prevention with New Ruleshttp://tampainjurylawyers.com/federal-agency-hopes-improve-workplace-injury-prevention-new-rules/
Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:39:20 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1032The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed a new set of rules for tracking workplace injuries and illnesses that the federal agency hopes will be helpful in workplace injury prevention.

The new rules have been proposed in response to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Although the report shows that there continues to be a reduction in workplace fatalities, OSHA has stated that there continues to be room for improvement in workplace safety overall.

What would the new rules for reporting workplace injuries entail?

At the heart of the new proposed rules is a fundamental change in how workplace illnesses and injuries are reported and tracked. Employers are already required by OSHA to keep records of workplace injuries and work-related illnesses. The new rules would require employers to begin submitting these records to the agency electronically so that they can be tracked and studied easier.

How often employers would be required to submit these records under the new proposed rules would depend on the size of the employer’s workforce. For example, employers with over 250+ employees would need to send in their records once a quarter. Employers of less than 20 employees in high risk industries would need to submit their records once a year.

How will the new reporting methods improve workplace injury prevention?

OSHA intends to use these records track occupational injuries much more effectively than it is able to do under current report methods. This data could then be used to generate more accurate workplace injury statistics and respond appropriately with the necessary workplace injury prevention programs.

Have you been severely injured in an accident in our area? Call our Tampa injury lawyers today!

If you’ve been seriously hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s irresponsible behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-753-5203 for a free consultation.

Because of the fact that cases involving worker’s compensation injuries may be highly complex and exceedingly specific, our law firm commonly works with other law firms who have considerable experience in each particular case type. Thus, we may be referring these types of cases to a separate firm, with whom we typically associate and work with on a co-counsel basis.

]]>How Social Media May be Used in Discovery for Personal Injury Lawsuitshttp://tampainjurylawyers.com/social-media-may-used-discovery-personal-injury-lawsuits/
Fri, 22 Nov 2013 22:42:13 +0000http://tampainjurylawyers.com/?p=1027

Social media connects millions of people across the world. However, it can also be used as a weapon against other individuals, such as during the course of a personal injury lawsuit. Due to the ability to use this information, people can strengthen or weaken their case through social media.

Drunk Driving Accident

One man posted a video on YouTube in which he admitted that he was drunk when he caused a wreck in which another person died. Prior to the video, the man had not been charged in the incident. However, after the video went viral, the man was indicted due to his YouTube admission.

Distracted Driving Cases

Social media may also be used in a case when a person is accused of driving while talking on a cell phone. For example, a person may admit on Facebook or another social media channel that he or she was talking or texting while driving. A social media post may appear right before the accident, indicating that the person was on his or her phone at the time.

Refute Testimony

Social media content may also be used against a person to refute his or her previous testimony. For example, if a person claims that he was severely injured and then posts vacation photos in which he was participating in sports or other high-level activities, this information may be used as evidence in the event of a personal injury claim.

Put Our 100+ Years Experience to Work for You

If you believe that your personal injury case can be strengthened by discovering social media posts or messages, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help through the discovery process. Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today at 1-800-753-5203 for a free initial consultation and case evaluation.

All surgical procedures carry a certain degree of risk and anyone having surgery for any reason should consider that risk before proceeding.

In some cases, it may be helpful to contact multiple medical professionals regarding a surgery, particularly for procedures that require a general anesthetic.

Surgical Injuries From Medical Malpractice or Just Bad Luck?

Many of the medical malpractice claims filed in the United States result from surgery. Not all surgical injuries involve actual malpractice, however, because of the aforementioned risk.

After proper diagnosis of a patient’s condition, a surgeon’s first obligation is to disclose the specific risk, or risks, to the patient. Without this disclosure, there can be no informed consent on the part of a patient.

Assuming all these steps have fallen into place, the surgeon must perform an error-free procedure. He or she must work as a team with the attending nurses and other doctors, including the anesthesiologist. If all goes well and no one commits any errors during the process, then—despite surgical injuries or an otherwise poor outcome—there is no malpractice.

Postoperative Care

The risk isn’t over when the surgeon finishes closing. Hospital staff must still properly care for the patient during recovery. Allowing a bedsore to develop or giving the wrong medication are both examples of malpractice that are every bit as serious as leaving a sponge or surgical instrument inside of a patient during a procedure.

Medical Errors

If any hospital personnel have made a mistake anywhere along the way, the patient may have grounds for a malpractice claim. This could involve negligence, misdiagnosis, substandard procedures, not gaining informed consent, or any one of a number of other possibilities.

There’s No Time to Wait, Call Us Today!

In all cases, it is crucial to get the advice and counsel of a legal professional who is well-versed in the intricacies of personal injury law. If you or someone you know believes he or she has been hurt by surgical medical malpractice, a Tampa injury lawyer might be able to help.

Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is available for free initial consultations. Call us today at 1-800-753-5203 to get started.

Because of the fact that cases involving Medical Malpractice injuries may be highly complex and exceedingly specific, our law firm commonly works with other law firms who have considerable experience in each particular case type. Thus, we may be referring these types of cases to a separate firm, with whom we typically associate and work with on a co-counsel basis.